Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the latest Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that today’s most promising chance for expansion lies with smaller development studios. In his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hammes emphasizes that even a three‑person team must still allocate resources to business management, underscoring that creative and technical prowess alone are insufficient.
"You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he explains. "If you’re a trio, someone still has to handle contracts, finances, and the day‑to‑day operations. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where developers can access production expertise, programming insights, creative direction, design advice, and also learn the fundamentals of running a sustainable business.
No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the commercial side stays crucial." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively stretches the entire Gamescom week. Hammes believes that aligning the two conferences brings clear advantages. "We now have a powerful partner in Gamescom, which opens many doors.
Practically speaking, it simplifies things for attendees who might have been confused by separate ticketing systems and two distinct venues. Previously there were two conferences, two ticket types, two purchasing processes, and very little integration. Today there is a single ticket portal that grants access to everything—from the Monday‑through‑Friday business week to the main Gamescom exhibition.
If you buy a ticket, you can seamlessly move between the two events until Friday." This year’s program features 390 speakers and 220 sessions spread across 17 stages. Hammes cautions against treating the event as a numbers‑driven exercise.
"It shouldn’t be about hitting a specific headcount or session tally. It’s always a matter of supply and demand, and we’re seeing the market become more specialised." He also notes that the current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse, imposes physical limits on growth. While the space comfortably accommodates the present format, there is "limited room to expand". Should the industry continue on its rapid trajectory, Hammes predicts that Gamescom Dev may need to consider moving closer to the main Gamescom site or finding a larger location.
"At the moment we’re not planning a massive expansion because that would entail a bigger logistical challenge, possibly relocating nearer to Gamescom, which remains an option. If the democratization of game development continues—if more indie and micro‑studios emerge—we’ll eventually need more room to serve everyone." Devcom originally launched in 2017 to fill the void left by the departure of GDC Europe. Although the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference targets a similar audience, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. He highlights a collaborative spirit within the industry, describing a "community behind the scenes" that transcends corporate rivalry.
"We’re separate organisations, each aiming to generate revenue, but the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The global conference circuit functions like a circus in a positive sense—people travel from one event to another, sharing knowledge. It’s not about eliminating other conferences; it’s about all of us thriving together. When one event faces challenges, like GDC’s current venue issues, we hope the situation improves for everyone." A fresh element on the Gamescom Dev agenda is the series of Leadership Summits.
These one‑day gatherings provide senior executives a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the volatile state of the market. Hammes stresses the importance of offering leaders a "safe space" to speak candidly. "It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," he says. "When the first summit began, we asked how many participants had delivered bad news that year; every hand went up.
We also asked how many had received bad news; again, every hand stayed raised. The industry is navigating a tricky environment, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence. By creating a confidential setting, we encourage honest dialogue about challenges and strategies." The speaker survey also reveals a split opinion on artificial intelligence.
While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative development over the next three years, only 11 % rank AI literacy as the top skill to cultivate. Hammes interprets this discrepancy as a sign that technical expertise alone won’t steer the industry through upcoming changes.
"You could argue we’re either over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," he remarks. "My conclusion is that neither is quite right. When you ask what skill truly matters, 27 % point to leadership. That tells us we recognize change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need people—leaders—who can guide teams through uncertainty and help them adapt." In summary, Hammes paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads: smaller studios are poised to capture significant market share, the conference ecosystem is becoming more integrated, and the emphasis is shifting from sheer scale to specialised, leadership‑driven growth. As Gamescom Dev continues to evolve, its role as a comprehensive resource for both creative and business development will remain central, especially as the sector grapples with emerging technologies and the ever‑changing dynamics of the global games market.